how do i mine the copper. putting a mine close or on top of copper ore does nothing and my villegers won't mine it?
In general your citizens will produce whatever they need. Do you have a smelter? Without a smelter your citizens won't automatically mine copper ore, because they don't see a need for it.
Next to some notifications there's a small icon of Nanash's head, click on it and she'll tell you what you should do about the message.